The volunteers of Ann Arbor have rich and varied business backgrounds. Counselors share their business experience and knowledge in all aspects of small business. In addition, all counselors have specific areas of expertise, which are listed below.
Michelle Webster - Chapter Chair Real Estate, Business Valuation, Succession Planning, and Strategic Planning
Michelle is a senior business consultant and also a commercial realtor and business broker. Her expertise is in business growth as well as exit strategies, start-ups through exiting, small- to medium-sized businesses.
Michael Felkey - Chapter Vice Chair Strategic Planning, Business Planning, Marketing, Financial Analysis, and Operations
Mike is a part-owner and President of Intersect Digital, an Ann Arbor based digital marketing services firm that services globally recognized advertising agencies in the US and Canada. Prior to starting is own business, Mike held a number of leadership positions in the digital marketing and technology industry. He has significant experience working with new and experienced entrepreneurs. Mike holds and MBA from The University of Michigan's Ross School of Business.
Eugene Laporte – Chapter Secretary Financial Planning and Administration
Gene was a Director at Merrill Lynch. His work and educational background include investments, human resources, law, marketing, and management.
Robert Crowner – Chapter Treasurer Business Planning, Financial Analysis, Engineering, and Manufacturing
A former Professor of Management, Bob is experienced with business plans, financial analysis, and engineering and manufacturing management.
Gene Berrodin Start-Up, Marketing, Human Relations, and Leasing v. Buying
Gene was one of the organizers of the NLC Mutual Insurance Company and served as Vice President. He has experience in organizing and managing non-profit associations.
Muriel Converse Business Planning, Marketing, and Market Research
Trained as an economist and survey researcher, Muriel founded a market research company specializing in customer satisfaction surveys and studies and general program evaluations whose annual sales grew to over $2 million.
Teresita dela Fuente Start-up, Business Planning, Financing, and Marketing
While serving as Food Service Manager at the University of Michigan Health System, Tessie managed the Patient Food Services Division at the University Hospital and Kellogg Eye Center and, as a Certified Instructor from the Education Foundation of the National Restaurant Association also taught food protection management courses.
Praful ("P.C.") Dubal Start-Up, Marketing, Human Relations, and Leasing v. Buying
As a pharmacist with an MBA in Marketing, "P.C." was responsible for the sale of many pharmaceutical products. His experience included business planning, management, marketing, personnel training, tradeshows, and coordinating conference special events.
Graham Fleming Start-Up, Financial Analysis, Taxes, and Computers
Trained as a chemical engineer, Graham spent many of his later years on the financial end of a multi-national chemical company.
Tanya Garrett Legal and Intellectual Property Issues
(Available for e-mail counseling only through www.score.org.) Tanya is a registered patent attorney with a background in Electrical Engineering. She practices exclusively in the field of Intellectual Property Law, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. She regularly advises clients with issues relating to IP law and new product development.
Mitchell Goodkin Marketing, Business Plans, Operations, Manufacturing, Finance, and Legal
An attorney, licensed Professional Engineer, MBA and past chair of the Computer Law Section of the Michigan Bar, Mitch has experience with business, product liability, intellectual property and export law; computer maintenance; manufacturing; automation; engineering; systems analysis; programming; quality control/assurance; product planning; information systems management; engineering management; and assessment, legal protection, marketing and licensing intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks).
Karl Hauser Start-Up, M&A, Business Valuation, Real Estate, and Engineering
As Vice President of Corporate Development for a large, privately owned company (almost $500 million in sales) Karl’s responsibilities included valuation of potential acquisitions, start-up management of new acquisitions, and contract negotiations.
Henry D. Kopicko Start-Up, Entity Selection, Business Plan, Contracting, and Legal
Henry spent 23 years in the automotive industry in a number of functions, including business planning, engineering, and supervision. He holds an MBA and a law degree, with a concentration in business transactions. He presently has an active law practice focused on business law as well as real estate, probate and estate planning.
James Krick Start-Up, Gov’t. Regulation, Collections, and Non-Profit Issues
Hank McQueen Marketing, Human Resources, and Administration
Santosh Mehra Business Planning, Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Financial Planning
James Patton Start Up, Accounting, Finance, Cost Estimating, Importing, and Insurance
Educated as an engineer and accountant, James worked for 25 years as a financial and operations manager in the ferrous metals industry; then, served six years as a gubernatorial-appointed official in state government.
Peggy Ann Pobuda Retail, Marketing, Start-up, and Business Planning
As Regional Manager with Ethan Allen, Peggy was responsible for the profitability and continued growth of stores in three states and Canada, and was involved in hiring, budgets, marketing and the planning of relocations and new construction.
Arthur Weeber Retail and Restaurant Management
Mark Winterhalter Administration, Business Plan, and Computer Information Systems
Mark has over 28 years of experience in technology management in retail as a CIO, and prior to that as President of his own technology consulting firm.
Ed Zimmer Computer Software & Systems, Patents & Intellectual Property, and Financing
(Available for e-mail counseling only through www.score.org.)
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